By CHIDI NKWOPARA

OWERRI—An Owerri High Court presided over by Justice Nonyerem Okoronkwo, has sentenced Uchenna Uhuegbu, from Odunmara, Orodo, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, to death for the murder of an 18-month-old baby girl.

Uhuegbu was charged for killing the baby girl, Chimuanya Iwuagwu, also from Odummara, Orodo, on May 17, 2009, in very bizarre circumstances.

Chronicling how the innocent suckling was murdered, Justice Okoronkwo recalled that the deceased Chimuanya was heading to throw away refuse with an elder relation and was accosted by the accused on their way.

The Judge agreed with the prosecution that “because the accused was very familiar with the family of the infant girl, her relation had no problem leaving the two and proceeded to throw away the refuse.”

Apart from believing the prosecution’s account, the Judge equally ruled that since the little girl’s relation did not find the duo on her return, it was for the accused to account for the baby that was left in his care.

Justice Okoronkwo co quoted the confessional statement Uhuegbu made to the police, especially how a mystery voice advised him to kill the little girl if his life was to be better.